Harakiri For The Sky – Arson Review

After seeing Harakiri For The Sky at Wolfszeit Festival 2014, I’ve followed the band with interest. The band has an impressive style and approach, and there’s something so hypnotic about the music that just draws you into it.

Arson, the band’s fourth album, is another fine bit of work from the Austrian outfit. Featuring eight tracks, each one of them is mesmerisingly good in its own way, and all bring something unique to the table whilst simultaneously blending in nicely together as part of a bigger picture. Harakiri For The Sky make the song construction and approaches sound effortless, although considering this is their fourth full-length release they already have a good idea of what works and what doesn’t for them.

I was immediately drawn to the opening track, due to the title of Fire, Walk With Me (what can I say, I’m a huge Twin Peaks fan!) which gets the album off to a mighty start, but I think my personal favourite has to be later track Stillborn, which is just a massive-sounding epic that features a perfect blend of aggression and melody thanks to the soaring guitars and snarling vocals – the two complement each other perfectly. Additionally, the furiously energetic guitar line that takes centre stage at around the 2:30 mark is utterly magnificent, along with the softer section at 6:30 – the two different approaches from the same instrument gives the track another level.

Arson doesn’t really tread any new ground for Harakiri For The Sky, but that isn’t necessarily a problem because if something isn’t broken, then why try to fix it? This is another fine bit of work from the band.

Soundscape's editor, who is particularly fond of doom, black metal and folk (but will give anything a chance). Likes to travel to see bands abroad when she can. Contact: nathumphries@soundscapemagazine.com or @acidnat on twitter.